Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

You would think warnings mattered. But seriously, they’re like a magnet for the “hold my beer” crowd.

Steamer’s had some crazy waves coming up over the fences into the parking lot. Video of a few people just getting drenched as they ran from the fence.

 

I went down to the coast on Thursday a few hours after the worst, and back again today at high tide. It was only a few blocks out of my way coming home from shopping. The surf WAS pretty amazing. But I’m very careful, it’s the other guys that do dumb things. Seriously though, while it is stupid to put yourself, and worse yet, emergency responders, at risk, it’s beyond stupid to drive past barriers onto the Badwater Basin or at the Dunes. Arrogant, entitled, selfish, I can’t think of accurate enough adjectives to describe those folks.

 

The swells were more from the west today and the Steamer’s/Cowell’s side was calmer than Thursday and there were a lot of surfers out. But around the corner at Saberjets (?) and It’s Beach was pretty wild. See my picture facing that way from further west, above.

 

¡¡¡VIVA SLOWJAMISTAN!!!

Not Death Valley... but having a nice new years day in Imperial County, after once again spending NYE in Borrego Springs...











Happy new year, y'all!

 

Just back from 3 nights in DV...had plans to head south after the first night but the weather was drizzly and we didn't feel like breaking camp so we ended up staying put the entire trip, leaving the trailer as a base camp for hikes and a drive to the mesquite dunes so the kids could burn off their breakfast s'mores on NYE.



The sounds and smells in the desert are spectacular when there's a little moisture. My daughter was happy to find this freshly watered flower.


Not far from that little flower we were greeted to this little treat. Out of sight from the road, we've hiked this hill before but never seen a bloom like this.


If you're looking for this bloom, look here


Pit crew in training...soon I'll get to kick back and relax while they go to work.


Despite having to train and supervise the pit crew, I did manage to find time to relax


If you zoom in you'll notice the wandering pit crew, who when unsupervised would often wander on adventures to find things that could "probably kill you"


We agreed that these berries could probably kill you but I have no idea really and no intention of finding out via trial and error.


We were also in agreement that this could kill you, and it was thought to have dead things in its layers.


We had the treat of dark skies from 6pm until 9pm when the moon rose. This was a lazy photography trip though, with the DSLR only coming out once on the whole trip and I've yet to review them so the iPhone pics will have to do.

 

Did Echo on Saturday. Had the place to myself, other than a couple at the last campsite in from the park, and a dude guiding what appeared to be his son, in a brand new Tacoma coming in from the NV side.
I just got through the last technical section, and there they were. I squeaked around the glistening new vehicle and went on my way.
I later thought I should have asked them if they ever drove that trail.

It wasn't bad for a single cab with 32's.
Although built rigs would be disappointed.
But a stock, double cab. I don't know.

Drove through Big Dune afterwards.
My truck didn't do as well as I thought it would.
Maybe I need a V8 swap and 35's?

 

Those photos are setting off my anti-stacking rage. Seriously people. If you need to stack an obstacle that's fine. Break it down when your done.

As far as dunes go, more HP is always better. lol

Edited to say that anti-stack rage wasn't directed at you @MSN88longbed Just over-stacking in general. lol

 

Meh, it’s a road to get from point A to point B, not an off road park. If someone takes the time to make it more passable I’ll thank them when I drive over it.

Sure, there are off road parks and popular fire roads for the brotastic to scrape up their sliders for some cred in the drive thru at Starbucks. Stacking there would be a no-no. Remote roads through a National Park? There for access. If people make them more accessible, good for them.

 

We'll just agree to disagree on that one.

 

I passed through the park solo the other day. 3 days and 3 nights. Lake Manly was still there and was a main attraction for me. The timing could not have been better.

Inclement weather succeeded in keeping the dust down, which made for some fantastic wheeling.






Exploring by headlamp, I was acutely reminded about the dangers of walking around in the desert at night in unfamiliar areas, as the f***ing ground disappeared into black nothingness in front of my eyes.


In The Eastern Wall of Death Valley, in the heart of the Amargosa range, I found a wicked steep dry fall, and in it I found omnidirectional geologic diversity. The above observed in a 15' radius and put back.


The contractors working in the park were very busy with the road repairs. Looking forward to more reopening.

Lots of other things were noted on this trip. More wildlife observed, and more quiet than other trips. Some time well spent in Panamint Valley too.

 

I must have just missed you.
Thanks for reminding me that I forgot to make historic observations of lake Manly.

 

Nice picture.

My shot at the same location for Lake Manly was not as "windless" so reflections were not as clean. Asshats walking into the lake spoiled my change to get a picture when the wind was down.

 

Found this guy recently on YT. I've not been to the area in the first clip but interesting about the tools and supplies in the canyon. Anyone know if there is improvements to be made to the stamp mill there?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8twpNoa8flY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlX6wtmmC2A

 

Does anyone have info on Goler Wash being open or closed? It says open, I guess we'll have to drive to find out.

 

It’s open.

@CVYota was just up there a few days ago - traveling the usual direction, east-to-west - stayed in Butte Valley, and had what sounded like a great time.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/29464593/

 

Be sure to check the NPS website for official status. NPS lists the road as open.

BTW, I noticed no gas is available at Stovepipe Wells today. They're doing some kind of upgrade.

 

Just got back from DV. We started in Trona, at the Gravel pit. Got a little chilly

Manly was opened but we went around to Ballarat because of lake Manly.
Goler and Mengal were open and a little more of a challenge than normal. We actually found Geologist cabin opened and stayed there.

Went through Warm spings, drove around Badwater lake



And went to Echo canyon. The waterfall has been made easy, 2 feet of dirt at the bottom and rock ramps built at each ledge.
Made our way to Nevada, tried to camp just inside the park, too cold and windy. Ate BBQ in Beatty, drove to Stovepipe and camped there.
Drove passed Ubehebe to teakettle explored the area around the backside of Hunter, found a well graded road then branched off to what i assume are geology stations



Ran up to Hunter, nice and clear with icy patches and back down to the 190.
The final 5 miles were bad, the part where it is partially paved. And at the end was this:


Made our way to Panamint Springs and got to see this


And of course a nice view of the stars (last 2 pics by one of the group members)

 

Thanks to all for the info.

 

Coming from Stovepipe Wells, does anyone know if that little side road is open to get to Lee Flat? I believe it's called Saline Valley Alternate Road. It's a side road a little ways past Father Crowley Point.
When I type in directions in google maps its taking me way up to Cerro Gordo and down to Lee Flat (way out of the way), in the past it would direct me via this other little side road.

Just curious if anyone knows its status. I don't think this road is listed on the DVNP road conditions page.

 

That's Saline Valley Road, which goes over South Pass to Saline Valley (and Lee Flat along the way). Technically it's closed due to storm damage. As I understand it, that damage is largely in the South Pass area (beyond Lee Flat) down into Saline Valley, but they close the road at CA-190 so folks don't get themselves into trouble and because they haven't verified the roads in and around Lee Flat.

As such, YMMV on your success in Lee Flat. Since the entire area (in addition to the road) is technically closed, if you run into an NPS Ranger, you would likely be facing a hefty fine.

Here's the spot on the map that you're looking for and that shows closed: Alerts & Conditions - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)